Burgers?

I always think it’s funny when I read recipes for sandwiches and burgers… do you really need someone to tell you how to layer meat, cheese, vegetables and condiments on bread? You know what you like- just slap it together, gah. My sister Lindsey likes Baked Lays on her turkey sandwiches. Can you order that at Subway? Nope. Can you make it if you want to? Abso-freakin-lutely.

So I didn’t feel like digging through the freezer yesterday when it came time to think about dinner. I was feeling like burgers, but with no thawed ground beef or turkey that was looking like a no-go. Then I found all the cans of black beans that I stock-piled when I read somewhere that they are on the Top 25 List of Heart Healthy Foods… and it dawned on me.

That right there is a very delicious burger. Looks meaty right? Well it’s not. I didn’t fool my children. But they ate the burgers anyway, despite Andrew’s protests that he “doesn’t really like beans.” Whatever.

Also– this is a burger that actually DOES require a recipe! I won’t tell you what to put ON your burger. But I will tell you how to make it.

You’ll need 2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed. Smash those up in a large bowl (I smushed mine with a fork), and then mix in diced garlic, onion, chili powder, black pepper, salt and cayenne pepper.

Once you have completely mixed in your seasoning, add 2 eggs and bread crumbs (any bread crumbs will do- I used seasoned bread crumbs) and stir it all up. I figured out that you need to let this sit for a few minutes before forming into patties. It makes less of a sticky mess that way.

Heat up a skillet with a tiny bit of olive oil and then brown your burger patties on both sides, long enough for them to be hot all the way through (remember you’ve gotta cook the eggs you put in).

I melted some cheddar jack on top of my black bean burgers. I served them on whole wheat buns with lettuce and salsa (the little boys opted for ketchup… I think they would put ketchup on cereal if I let them). These were pretty great! And cheap. And filling. Oh and heart-healthy, too.

Black Beanie Burgers

Ingredients

2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed ( 15 ounce cans)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 cup onion, diced

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons chili powder

salt to taste

2 eggs

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 tablespoon olive oil

To Make

Mash the beans in a large bowl. Stir in the garlic and onions. Then add the black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and salt. Mix well. Add eggs and when they are well combined with the beans, stir in the bread crumbs. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes (or cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate if you’re preparing these ahead of time) and then form into patties. I made about 6, but they were pretty big. Heat the oil in a skillet (medium heat is fine) and then cook the patties. About 3 or 4 minutes per side, turning occassionally to avoid burning. Top these with whatever you like. No recipe required.

Thanks! And I agree– beany. But when I make the storebought black bean burgers I don’t notice the “beany” flavor as much. I think the trick might be to add more vegetables and spice? I’m gonna give yours a shot, and maybe add more red pepper? Shaved carrots? I’ll think of something 🙂